Bulldogs Enjoy Championship Season

They were picked fifth in the preseason poll. They were ravaged with injuries. With a freshman-packed lineup and just three seniors on the squad, the 2010 Butler women's soccer team came together as a team and claimed the Horizon League regular season title and No. 1 seed in the league tourney.

The 2010 season was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Butler women's soccer team. The Bulldogs were young, starting as many as eight freshmen, and the other top scorers were just sophomores. The team's goalkeeper, though an upperclassman, was a new starter. Furthermore, the team lost one of its top midfielders, Natalie Galovska, for the season due to a leg injury.

So much for rebuilding.

The Bulldogs went on a furious run in conference playing, going 6-2-0 and capturing the regular season title. The conference title run featured a 3-0 record in road league matches. The biggest victory of the three was a 1-0 win at Milwaukee on Oct. 10. It was the first time BU had beaten the Panthers since 1999. The win ended up being in the difference in the league race, as the Bulldogs took the tie-breaker and hosted the league tournament.

Playing as the No. 1 seed, BU received a bye to the semifinals and a date with No. 6 Detroit. Butler had previously defeated the Titans, 3-0, in Detroit on Oct. 17. This time wouldn't be as easy, however, as Detroit took a 1-0 lead early. The Dawgs answered on Claire Milam's goal just before halftime for a 1-1 tie. Jackie Hafele would score the game-winner in the 83rd minute and the Bulldogs advanced to the championship match. The magic would run out there, as Butler fell to Milwaukee in the final on Nov. 7.

Other season highlights included an offensive outburst in the team's 5-2 win over Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 3. Katie Griswold scored three goals to lead the team to its first win of the season. Home wins over Saint Louis, Wright State and Cleveland State were also season-changing moments for the Bulldogs. The team also took an exciting trip to Oregon State for a tournament in September. Although the team lost twice against elite Pac-10 competition, it was a key stretch that helped the team realize its potential.